Therapists in 96753
Christopher Skaggs
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Kihei, HI 96753 (Online Only)
I work with individuals, and relationships and people that struggle to effectively communicate their needs. Because of how they were brought up, or conditioned through experience, they might have vastly different ways of showing up in relationships, especially through conflict. We all want to work on what drives our behavior so that we can better understand ourselves and each other. This allows us to be vulnerable with one another and experience our real selves, so we can connect and love on a much deeper and more meaningful and satisfying level.
I work with individuals, and relationships and people that struggle to effectively communicate their needs. Because of how they were brought up, or conditioned through experience, they might have vastly different ways of showing up in relationships, especially through conflict. We all want to work on what drives our behavior so that we can better understand ourselves and each other. This allows us to be vulnerable with one another and experience our real selves, so we can connect and love on a much deeper and more meaningful and satisfying level.
River Marilou Penner
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, ASL
Verified Verified
Kihei, HI 96753
The focus of counselling is to address what the client wants more of in his/her life. Most of the time the goal is to feel happier. As your counsellor I will provide a space and venue for patterns to be revealed and unconscious beliefs to be addressed. The results will be a greater sense of personal power in creating a life of contentment and choice.The conversation we have in the therapeutic environment is a purposeful one, it is about what works, what does not work and the strategies needed to shift from discontentment to contentment.
The focus of counselling is to address what the client wants more of in his/her life. Most of the time the goal is to feel happier. As your counsellor I will provide a space and venue for patterns to be revealed and unconscious beliefs to be addressed. The results will be a greater sense of personal power in creating a life of contentment and choice.The conversation we have in the therapeutic environment is a purposeful one, it is about what works, what does not work and the strategies needed to shift from discontentment to contentment.
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Transgender Therapists
As a gender-diverse individual, why might I want to see a therapist who is also gender diverse?
A trans or gender-diverse client may want to see a therapist who is also trans or gender diverse because the client may feel safer sharing their experiences and more confident that the therapist will understand, validate, and support them. But trans or gender-diverse clients can also benefit from therapy with cisgender therapists; this is a personal decision based on the connection between the client and the therapist, and if that connection is strong, therapy will be successful.
What if I cannot find a therapist who shares my gender identity?
Therapy can still be effective if a therapist does not share a client’s gender identity; a large body of research indicates that the most important factor in successful therapy is the therapeutic alliance. A therapist can also be interviewed for sensitivity and competence on gender identity and expression to ensure they possess appropriate knowledge and skills. Many therapists have excellent training and extensive experience working with gender-diverse clients, and that expertise can be invaluable despite a therapist not sharing the same firsthand experiences.
How can I recognize a good therapist for working with gender-diverse clients?
An experienced therapist should be able to help clients explore their gender identity and expression, alleviate discomfort related to their gender identity, treat mental health challenges and trauma, address existing relationships and communication with family members and loved ones, and determine the next steps pertaining to nonmedical or medical gender-affirming interventions. To recognize a good therapist, clients can ask about these topics and explore their comfort and connection with the clinician.
How might I inquire about a therapist’s experience working with transgender clients?
Clients should feel comfortable asking therapists directly about their experience working with transgender or gender-diverse clientele. For example, clients may ask about the therapist’s training and education with regard to gender identity, how many trans clients they’ve worked with in the past, and what sorts of matters were discussed. You may wish to inquire how a therapist specifically supports the needs of transgender clients or clients questioning their gender identity. A good clinician who is nonetheless not the right fit for you is often happy to make referrals to others based on the concerns you articulate in a preliminary conversation.